Happy Birthday to My Husband

Just as I was sitting down to write this post, I changed over the little motivational quotes box on my desk and this was what came up:

“Keep focused on who and what are most important in your life. Making a life is more important than making a living.” – Larree Renda

That could not be a more perfect description of how I’m feeling now that we’ve been together for almost ten years and you’re going in to your last year in your twenties. We’ve made a life together. We started out young and in love, staying up late studying for final exams or playing Halo in your case. 🙂 You taught me about appreciating the little things in life, and how it’s important to lock your dorm room door and your car. A farm girl like me had no idea.

Then this crazy opportunity came along and you started playing professional basketball in Mexico. Neither of us even knew that was a thing, but it seemed like it was worth a shot. I can remember buying our first phones in Mexico and not wanting to spend money on anything extravagant. So we bought some tiny Nokia phones that could barely text and only had a Snake game on it. But we made memories as newlyweds and created a little home for ourselves.

It wasn’t more than a year before we found out we were expecting our first little one. And although it was a surprise to the both of us, there wasn’t a doubt in our minds that we would love this baby unconditionally. You would discover a particular noise that made Cora giggle and then you would repeat it relentlessly for weeks on end just hoping to hear that beautiful sound once more. It drove me nuts but it made her smile, so it was worth it.

Cora made us realize quickly that we’d outgrown our tiny little condo, so we decided it was time to look for a house. And then when we found the place that had everything we were looking for, we made it ours. We’ve hosted Thanksgivings, birthday parties, and casual Sunday play dates with friends. You’re still undefeated in ping pong in our new abode. Actually, I’m pretty sure you’re undefeated in any sport that’s ever been played here. It’s incredibly annoying to those around you, but it’s who you are. 🙂

We made it through one of the darkest times in our relationship when we lost a baby. Up until that point, I think we felt invincible, like nothing bad could ever happen to us. That sad season made us realize we’re not immune to hurt, but we can become closer because of it. And it wasn’t but a few more months before God blessed us with a healthy pregnancy, and our family grew once more.

Every second, minute, hour of our relationship, you have been striving to be a better husband and father. By my count this is the 9th birthday of yours that we’ve celebrated together. We’ve welcomed the majority of your twenties in side by side, although the picture of our life has looked different each time. Let’s keep making a life, ok? Let’s prioritize our girls and each other over everything else. Let’s make a living when it’s the time to do so, and then let’s focus on the present when it’s time to be there for our family. Today is about you, but our life is about what we decide. Let’s make it a great one.

Haute in Texas is where savvy public relations meets passionate blogging influence. Owner Aquila Mendez-Valdez splits her time between the Haute in Texas blog and the Haute in Texas public relations consulting business. She writes on fashion, beauty, and motherhood, and helps her clients to achieve their business goals both online and in the community. We’re glad you’re here; come join us in the pursuit of the haute life.